Disney Sued Over Using Late Actor's CGI Likeness in 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story'

Disney is facing a lawsuit from the estate of the late actor Peter Cushing, after the company allegedly used his CGI likeness in the 2016 film 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story' without permission.

Cushing, who played Grand Moff Tarkin in the original Star Wars trilogy, died in 1994. His estate is now claiming that Disney used his likeness in Rogue One without obtaining the necessary rights.

The lawsuit, which was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday, alleges that Disney "knowingly and wrongfully used Peter Cushing's name, likeness, and voice" in Rogue One without the estate's consent.

The suit claims that Disney "did not have the right to use Peter Cushing's likeness or voice in Rogue One, and that the company's use of his likeness was a violation of his right of publicity."

The estate is seeking an injunction to stop Disney from further using Cushing's likeness in Rogue One, as well as damages for the alleged unauthorized use.

Disney has not yet commented on the lawsuit.

The use of CGI to recreate the likenesses of deceased actors has become increasingly common in recent years. In addition to Rogue One, CGI has been used to recreate the likenesses of Peter Cushing in the 2019 film 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' and Carrie Fisher in the 2018 film 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi'.

The use of CGI to recreate the likenesses of deceased actors has raised a number of legal and ethical questions. Some argue that the use of CGI to recreate the likenesses of deceased actors is a violation of their right of publicity. Others argue that the use of CGI to recreate the likenesses of deceased actors is a form of artistic expression.

The outcome of the lawsuit against Disney will likely have a significant impact on the future use of CGI to recreate the likenesses of deceased actors.

Here are some additional details about the lawsuit:

• The lawsuit was filed by the estate of Peter Cushing, which is represented by the law firm of Loeb & Loeb.
• The lawsuit alleges that Disney violated Cushing's right of publicity by using his likeness in Rogue One without the estate's consent.
• The estate is seeking an injunction to stop Disney from further using Cushing's likeness in Rogue One, as well as damages for the alleged unauthorized use.
• Disney has not yet commented on the lawsuit.